TEST TAKING TIPS Colleen Nevins, Lecture notes of Nursing

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TEST TAKING TIPS

Colleen Nevins

DNP, RN, CNE

OBJECTIVES

1. To discuss strategies for multiple choice

application questions on exams.

2. To develop skill in applying knowledge to

practice related to multiple choice and multiple

selection questions.

WHY, OH WHY?

AND WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

Well designed multiple choice questions allow for engagement and evaluation in application of knowledge to nursing practice

Multiple choice questions enhance and evaluate critical thinking

Optimal patient outcomes are effected by the ability of nurses’ to critically think

#1- ALL IN THE PREP

Learn the content to understand relevancy to practice

versus memorizing, which requires

 Reading the assigned material

 Practicing test questions

 Discussion with others, e.g., group work

 Questioning and seeking more information -

By asking why, when, where, who, how?

#2 – SAMPLE QUESTION

Stem : In passing the physician for your patient in the hospital hall, he

smiles and mentions he will be ordering an x-ray. You enter the patient's

room to find her crying. She states "Dr. X was so abrupt and rude. I have

never been treated so badly. I want to talk to a supervisor.“

Question : As the nurse, your best initial response is?

Distractors :

1. “What level of supervisor do you want to talk to?”
2. “Dr. X is always rude to everyone. Don’t take it personally.”
3. “What do you want to talk to a supervisor about? Perhaps I can help.” 4. Correct Answer: “You seem upset.”

#2 – Sample Questions

#2 – SAMPLE QUESTION

Stem : Patient presents with severe dyspnea with a history of COPD.

ABGs show the patient is in respiratory acidosis with and O2 sat of 87%.

The patient appears to be gasping for air. The patient’s family asks what

is going to be done for the patient.

Question : As the nurse, your best initial response that shows

understanding of the appropriate plan of care is?

Distractors :

1. “We are going to start an IV and increase the oxygen.”
2. “The doctor is reading the chest x-ray and should be in shortly.”
3. “We need the patient to take slow deep breaths, and cough up

secretions to clear the airway.”

4. Correct Answer: “I’ve called respiratory therapy who are coming to

give the patient a breathing treatment.”

#2 – Sample Questions

#3 - KEY WORDS

 Always

 Most likely or least likely

 Initial

 Priority or best

 Every

 Entire

 Only

 Never or rarely

#3 – Cues in Key Words

#4 - TIPS

 Read test question carefully.

 What is the question asking? Do not read into the

scenario or question.

 Read the responses carefully.

 Re-read the scenario, question, and responses.

 Delete the obvious incorrect responses.

 Move onto the next question, and come back to

the question if stuck.

#4 – Tips

#5 – QUESTION/ANSWER SAMPLE

Question: As a nurse, which of the following is your first priority of providing care?

Answers:

1. Patient needs a dressing change
2. Patient needs suctioning
3. Patient is in pain
4. Patient is incontinent

After answering, now place each in order of priority…

#5 – QUESTION/ANSWER SAMPLE

Question: As a nurse, which of the following is your first priority of providing care?

Answers in order of priority:

#4. Patient needs a dressing change

#1. Patient needs suctioning

#2. Patient is in pain

#3. Patient is incontinent

#6 – FOCUS ON SUCCESS